Story

**Oliver and the Backyard Planet** Once upon a sunny afternoon, in the little town of Maplewood, lived a curious 9-year-old boy named Oliver. Oliver loved exploring, especially in his backyard, which was filled with tall trees, colorful flowers, and a little pond where frogs liked to sing. But one day, as Oliver was digging around the old oak tree, he discovered something extraordinary. "Whoa!" Oliver exclaimed as his shovel hit something hard and shiny. He brushed away the dirt and gasped. There, lying in the ground, was a glowing, swirling orb. It was blue and green, just like the pictures of Earth he saw in his books, but this one was no bigger than a soccer ball. Oliver gently picked it up, and to his surprise, the orb began to float! It hovered in the air, spinning slowly. Suddenly, a tiny door opened on its side, and out popped the most peculiar little creature. It was no bigger than a mouse, with bright purple fur and three twinkling eyes. "Hello!" squeaked the creature. "I am Zog, from Planet Zogglesnap! Thank you for finding our planet. We got lost on an intergalactic adventure!" Oliver was astonished. "You mean, this is a whole planet? In my backyard?" "Yes!" Zog chirped, bouncing with excitement. "Our planet is very tiny, but it has everything we need. Trees, rivers, even a little candy mountain!" Oliver's eyes widened with wonder. "A candy mountain? Can I see it?" "Of course!" said Zog. "Hold on tight!" As soon as Oliver touched the orb, everything around him swirled and danced. In the blink of an eye, he was standing on Planet Zogglesnap! The grass was as soft as a blanket, and the sky shimmered with every color of the rainbow. In the distance, he could see the candy mountain, gleaming with sugary treats. Zog showed Oliver around, introducing him to other little creatures called Zoggles. They were all friendly and loved to laugh and play. Oliver tried some candy from the mountain, which tasted like the sweetest chocolate chip cookie he had ever eaten. They spent the afternoon playing Zoggleball, a game where tiny stars were used as the ball, and everyone had to float and twirl to catch them. Oliver even taught the Zoggles how to play hopscotch, which they found hilarious with their wobbly hops. But as the sun began to set, Oliver knew it was time to return home. "Thank you, Zog," Oliver said with a smile. "This was the best adventure ever!" Zog waved his little paw. "Thank you, Oliver! Come visit us anytime!" Back in his backyard, with the orb in his hands, Oliver promised he would. He carefully placed the orb back under the oak tree, knowing it was safe. From that day on, Oliver’s backyard was not just a place for ordinary exploring. It held the secret of a tiny planet and the promise of endless adventures.